Stocking protector



May 10, 1949. J. M K. CONLEY STOCKING PROTECTOR Filed Aug. 25, 1947 Z INVENTOR/ ne M Kenna 0211 1 BY Y %Zm ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 10, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STOCKING PROTECTOR Josephine McKenna Conley, Cleveland, Ohio Application August 25, 1947, Serial No. 770,358

1 Claim.

My invention is an improvement in stocking or leg protectors.

It is an object of my invention to provide a stocking protector which is of simple construction, neat in appearance and easily and quickly applied in use.

Another object is to provide a protector of this type which can readily be attached to the leg of the wearer and which may be constructed of water-proof material such as thin sheet plastic, thus protecting the stocking and leg of the wearer from water and dirt splashed against there while walking along a Wet pavement.

A further object of the invention is a protector of the kind described which may be folded or compressed into a small space when not in use and, therefore, may be carried in a pocket or pocket-book ready at all times for instant use.

Another object is a stocking protector which is provided with a foot portion either enclosing the foot of the wearer or extending well down over the heel and ankle and below the top line of the shoe of the wearer.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become more apparent as the following description of an embodiment thereof progresses, reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of one embodiment of my invention,

Figure 2 shows the same applied to the wearer in use as viewed from the rear,

Figure 3 is a front view of the same shown in use, and,

Figure 4 is a modification of the invention, illustrating the use of a strap for attaching the device to the foot.

In carrying out my invention the protector is preferably formed of a light Water-proof material such as transparent or translucent plastic sheet and comprises essentially a calf portion and an ankle portion which may be formed separately and secured together as illustrated in the drawing, or which may be formed in a single piece.

The calf portion comprises a body I adapted to encircle the calf of the leg, terminating in laterally extending tabs 2 and 3, which are adapted to overlap each other as shown in Figure 3, separably secured together by means of cooperating fasteners 4 and 5. The body I is extended upwardly as at 6 to provide additional protection for the back of the leg at and above the calf.

The tabs 2 and 3 preferably consist of two superimposed thicknesses of the sheet material, one thickness being integral with the body ,I while the other thickness may be secured thereto by stitching as at I, thus affording greater strength to the overlapping tabs when they are secured together.

The ankle portion 8 depends from the lower part of the body I and, as described above, may be formed integral therewith, or may be formed separately and secured thereto by stitching or by cement bond as at 9. In either event these two portions form a continuous protective body extending from above the calf and well down below the angle of the wearer so that the extreme lower portion I0 will lie below the top rim of the shoe as shown in Figure 2. In this manner it will be seen that protection against water or mud splashed up as in walking is aiforded the stocking and leg of the wearer especially at the rear and sides thereof Where splashing is most likely to occur.

The portion 8 may be formed of a plurality of longitudinal sections extending up into the body I and secured together and to the body I at the adjacent overlapping edges by stitching 9 and II as indicated in Figure 1. Longitudinal and lateral reinforcement is thus provided.

I also provide a pair of tabs I2 and I3 extending outwardly of the body from points on opposite sides thereof located approximately where the calf and ankle portions meet. These tabs are provided with snap fasteners I4 by means of which they may be secured together as shown in Figure 3.

As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive, I may provide a sock or foot for the protector comprising heel and toe portions I5 and I6, respectively, whereby the device may be worn like a stocking, that is, the foot of the wearer is inserted into the sock and the body I and ankle portion are brought into engagement with the leg as in Figures 2 and 3 and secured in place by means of the fasteners 4, 5 and I4.

The sock is secured to the portion 8 as at I! and may be provided around its opening with an elastic band or cord l8.

In Figure 4 I have illustrated a modified form of the invention in which the sock is eliminated, there being a heel or instep strap 20 secured to the lower edge of the calf member and arranged to lie under the heel and instep of the wearer as shown in this figure. This strap will hold the protector in place and prevent the lower portion thereof from creeping upwardly beyond the rim of the shoe of the wearer.

It will be seen that by my invention I have provided a strong, durable, neat and eiiective means for preventing the stock ings' 'oi "legsof-the wearer from becoming splashed as" in walking along a wet pavement or street. The device is light, easily applied and inexpensive to manu facture. 7

Various changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangementf pa'rts without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the appended claim.

Iclaim: A stocking protector? comprising a body of water=proof-fiexiblematerial formed to provide elongated calf and ankle engaging portions, op-'- positely disposed transverse extensions of-said bodyaintegral therewith, cooperating means on said transverse portions for securing the same together in overlapping relation about the leg of the wearer, said ankle engaging portion comprising a plurality of substantially parallel abutting sections secured together along their abutting edges and to the calf portion of said body diagonally of the abutting sections at their upper ends whereby to provide lateral and longitudinal reinforcement to said body, and to cause the same to conform to the leg of the wearer.

JOSEPHINE MCKENNA CONLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file 'of thispatent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 769,606" Heibroner Sept. 6, 1904 1,677,683 Parry July 17, 1928 1,678,566 Gallant July 24, 1928 1;754,666 Bishop Apr. 15, 1930 2,230,380 Johst Feb. 4, 1941 254231354 Van Hoesen July 1, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 245,041 Great-Britain Dec; 31, 1925 2543170 GreatBritain' July,- 1; 1926 

